Today’s Blog: It’s all in the head . . .
TODAY’S PROVERB: I saw among the naïve,
I noticed among the youth, a young man lacking understanding… Proverbs 7:7, TLV
Ever wonder why teenagers struggle with a lack of understanding and naivety? Why they make decisions based on emotions rather than logic? Advances in science now provide a biological answer — and it’s not just rampant hormones.
These brilliant souls have identified an area of the brain called the amygdala. It is responsible for those visceral, immediate reactions like fear and aggressive behavior. This region develops early, which explains a lot.
The area of the brain that controls logic and reasoning before action, is called the frontal cortex. This part develops later, and matures well into adulthood.
Pictures of the brain in action show that adolescents’ brains work differently than adults when they make decisions or solve problems. Their amygdala tends to override their underdeveloped frontal cortex when it comes their actions and behaviors. Research has also shown that the use of drugs and alcohol during the teen years can change or delay these developments.
These brain differences don’t mean that young people can’t make good decisions or tell the difference between right and wrong. It also doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions. However, an awareness of these differences can help parents, teachers, and clergy better understand, anticipate, and manage the behavior of adolescents.
In today’s proverb, King Solomon laments the young person’s poor decision-making. He follows the journey to its sad conclusion.
Knowing what we know now, I think we’d all go out and stop junior from following the hussy. We’d probably try to bop his frontal cortex in the hopes of him thinking more logically.
All kidding aside . . .
All kidding aside, knowing this as parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, and clergy, we can better help our young people. It’s also a good reminder that too much time alone and on the computer can open up opportunities for temptation that their brains are not able to handle.
“My son, keep my words
PROVERBS 7:1, TLV
and treasure my mitzvot [commandments] within you.”
What an honor to support our young people with wisdom and knowledge so that they can develop those frontal cortex, and most importantly develop insight, discernment, and understanding.
May we support our young people with wisdom and knowledge, my friends.
Proverbs 7: 7 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
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